The test, sponsored by the Defense Department's Joint IED Defeat Organization and conducted by Boeing and the Army Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space, was Sept. 22-24 and used the laser system mounted on a Boeing-built Avenger combat vehicle.

According to Boeing, Laser Avenger destroyed several types of IEDs, including large-caliber artillery and smaller bomblets and mortar rounds. The system operated at safe distances from the targets and under a variety of conditions, including various angles and ranges.

Boeing, which is developing laser systems for the Air Force, Army and Navy, said soldiers traveling with Laser Avenger would not have to get out of their armored vehicles or wait for an explosive ordnance disposal team to destroy an IED and continue their mission.